Pipe cleaning method



June 21, 1932. H. LODDE PIPE CLEANING METHOD Filed July 18, 1950 avweutoz IZLadde 351 bid flame/n a a v curely attached to the flanges Patented June 21 1932 HERBERT LODDE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PIPE CLEANING METHOD Application filed July 18,

The main object of this invention is to provide a device which is adapted to be attached to opposite ends of a clogged pipefor the purpose of cleaning the latter and removing the clogging material therefrom by the rapid condensation of a liquid'contained in the de- Vice. 7

The above and other objects will become apparent in the description below in which characters of reference refer to like-named parts in the drawing.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view through the suction cleaner showing the reservoir thereof partly filled with evaporating liquid. 7

Figure 2 is a perspective View showing the application of a suction cleaner to a pipe.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates a pipe which is assumed to be in clogged condition. This pipe has a linear passageway 11 extending throughout its length. The opposite ends of the pipe are provided with flanges 12 and 13. The upper flange 12 has seatedthereon the flange 13 of an elbow 14. This elbow communicates with a flared conical hood 15 whose function will be more fully hereinafter described. The lower flange 13 of the pipe is secured to a flange 16 forming part of a neck 17 from the latter of which depends a spherical reservoir 18. The reservoir has a chamber 19 therein which is adapted to be filled by some evaporating liquid 20.

The pipe which is to be cleaned of its clogging material is preferably held in horizontal position with the hood 15 upright. The reservoir 18 is attached to one end of the clogged pipe which latter is held in a clenched hand such as indicated by the numeral 21. The blow torch such as 22 is applied to the reservoir and the liquid content 20 thereof is adapted to be heated so that evaporation takes place. The flange 13 of the cone hood 15 and the flange 16 of the reservoir may be seof the pipe 10 by clamps (not shown). The pressure exerted by the evaporated fluid upon the clogging material slowly moves the latter and seepage also takes place through the clogging ma- 1930. Serial No. 468,823.

terial. This seepage fills or partly fills the cone hood l5. \Vhen the torch is removed rapid condensation takes place in the pipe and reservoir, and the liquid contained in the hood due to the vacuum created in the pipe and reservoir is drawn into the latter with the clogging material thereby cleaning the pipe.

It is to be noted that certain changes in .form and construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

The method of removing clogging material from a pipe which consists in creating a body of vapor at one end of the pipe and confining the vapor against escape except through said pipe, causing the condensate of vapor passing through said pipe to seal the opposite end of said pipe, and'permitting the body of vapor to condense, thereby causing said clogging material to be sucked out of said pipe from said first end of the pipe.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HERBERT LODDE. 

